Changes: Help:Assuming good faith

Revision as of 18:42, 10 August 2021

Wikis are community-based projects, where people from all across the world can come together to share their passion for a subject. It goes without saying, then, that you may not agree with everything someone does. The important thing to remember is to assume someone's intentions are good. Most people are part of a community to help it, not to hurt it!

What is assuming good faith?

To assume good faith means to assume that someone is making a well-intentioned effort to help the community. Even if they did something you think is wrong, odds are, it might be an accident. Assuming good faith means to assume that there is no intention of malice and that editors are trying hard to do their work for the greater good of the community.

Even if someone made an edit that needs to be reverted, it does not mean that their intention in making that edit was anything less than honorable. You should approach disagreements with a sense that the other person just wants to help, so you can be a friendly, honest, and caring voice in the community rather than someone who assumes that anyone who does something differently than you is out to ruin the project.

Assuming good faith from new users

Making the leap from reader to editor can be daunting, and the Publish button can be very intimidating when you know the entire world can see your first edit. For that reason, you should always remember to be patient with newcomers, because they will most likely be unfamiliar with the community's culture and rules. They are there because they are excited to join in, but they may not understand the tools or codes that you are used to, and if it is a wiki made by you, they probably have not read your community's rules and guidelines - no matter how much you may have wanted them to. It is easy to get frustrated and impatient about this, but everyone needs a chance to learn - and at a pace that's as comfortable for them as possible.

When you can reasonably assume that something is a well-meaning error, correct it with a kind, explanatory edit summary, and even leave a message on their user talk page or wall. Don't just revert it without any explanation, and certainly don't label it as vandalism unless it has malicious intent behind it. Letting the users know what they did wrong not only helps them become a better editor but the new messages notification showing them that someone has, in fact, read their edits can be ideal for positive encouragement. Knowing that someone has read what you wrote is a great feeling, one that can get people deeply involved in communities they care about.

All in all, remember not to act as if their mistake was deliberate. Correct them, but don’t scold them. Inform, but don’t intimidate. These are people you want to keep on your wiki, so why scare them off?

Handling disagreements

Different people can have different opinions about what's best for a community. When you disagree with someone, you might start to feel that they are a bad editor, but that is almost never true if they care about the topic. Assuming good faith is all about intentions, not actions. Even if the person is wrong, that does not mean they are trying to ruin anything.

Whenever an edit or a message irritates you, take a step back and assume the person is just trying to help. This can help you look past your frustration and recognize what they are trying to achieve, and then act more kindly based on that understanding. Consider using talk pages, comments, or walls to explain your point of view, and invite others to do the same. This can avoid misunderstandings and prevent problems from escalating.

Well-meaning people can take actions the rest of the community feels are unwise, and you should discuss the actions calmly and seek compromises wherever possible. What you should not do is accuse the person of vandalism or sabotage. Foster a culture of consensus, not condemnation.

A note for admins

When you discuss with editors, you should always be friendly and patient. Show them that you are assuming good faith about their intentions, whether they are new or regular editors. This prevents or at least calms most conflicts, and it helps the community to trust you. It also sets an important example for other editors and admins, which can lead to a more welcoming and positive atmosphere in the community.

When a well-meaning person takes an action you disagree with, you should always start with a message on their user talk page or wall. Never go straight to blocking them or protecting a page - and never use admin tools or stature just to get your way in a disagreement. Remember that every action on a wiki can be undone, and letting an unwanted edit or page sit for a short time while you talk with the user and wait for their reply is not a terrible thing.

Of course, some users act in bad faith, and we trust admins to use their judgement and their tools to deal with them appropriately. However, assuming good faith is a powerful tool. Even in cases of obvious vandalism, you might be surprised how often a kind and personal warning can get people to stop, and even apologize. Some vandals are just bored readers who do not think anyone is paying attention or don't believe that their obnoxiousness is affecting real people.

Very malicious cases of spam, vandalism, and trolling are blatantly obvious, and those can be dealt with quick administrative actions like blocking. The vast majority of people are there to help the community, but every once in a while you get someone who just wants to vandalize to ruin other people's good time.

Final advice

Just remember that everyone you deal with has feelings, and everyone can help you build the community that you love if he or she can be shown that their work is noticed and valued, as well as how they can improve wherever needed. Always do your best to assume good faith, and your reward will be a thriving wiki community!

Further help and feedback

Browse and search other help pages at Help:Contents
Check Fandom Community Central for sources of further help and support
Check Contacting Fandom for how to report any errors or unclear steps in this article

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-Wikias are community-based projects, where people from all across the world can come together and share their passion for a subject to a collaborative end. It goes without saying, then, that you may not agree with everything someone does. The important thing to remember is to '''assume someone is acting in good faith'''. Most people are on a wikia to help it, not to hurt it!
+Wikis are community-based projects, where people from all across the world can come together to share their passion for a subject. It goes without saying, then, that you may not agree with everything someone does. The important thing to remember is to '''assume someone's intentions are good'''. Most people are part of a community to help it, not to hurt it!
-==What is good faith?==
+==What is assuming good faith?==
+To assume good faith means to assume that someone is making a well-intentioned effort to help the community. Even if they did something you think is wrong, odds are, it might be an accident. Assuming good faith means to assume that there is no intention of malice and that editors are trying hard to do their work for the greater good of the community.
-Devon is good faith, you just have to believe him, if you do, your momma is confidence or trust in a person or thing; or the observance of an obligation from loyalty; or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement; or a belief not based on proof; or it may refer to a particular system of religious belief. So as a result you must believe in devon if you want, MOMMA!!!!!
+Even if someone made an [[Help:Editing|edit]] that needs to be [[Help:Reverting|reverted]], it does not mean that their intention in making that edit was anything less than honorable. You should approach disagreements with a sense that the other person just wants to help, so you can be a friendly, honest, and caring voice in the community rather than someone who assumes that anyone who does something differently than you is out to ruin the project.
 ==Assuming good faith from new users==
 [[File:Nuvola_apps_edu_languages.png|right]]
+Making the leap from reader to editor can be daunting, and the Publish button can be very intimidating when you know the entire world can see your first edit. For that reason, you should always remember to be patient with newcomers, because they will most likely be unfamiliar with the [[Help:Wiki Rules and Blocking Policy|community's culture and rules]]. They are there because they are excited to join in, but they may not understand the tools or codes that you are used to, and if it is a wiki made by you, they probably have not read your community's rules and guidelines - no matter how much you may have wanted them to. It is easy to get frustrated and impatient about this, but everyone needs a chance to learn - and at a pace that's as comfortable for them as possible.
-Assuming good faith is basically believing in deon, if you do not believe in devon you would automatically be kicked from this wiki. You have to believe in Devon especially new users have to otherwise they would be kicked from this. THIS IS AN IMPORANT MESSAGE!!!! BELEIVE IN DEVON OR ELSE
+When you can reasonably assume that something is a well-meaning error, correct it with a kind, explanatory edit summary, and even leave a message on their user talk page or wall. Don't just [[Help:Reverting|revert]] it without any explanation, and certainly don't label it as [[Help:Vandalism|vandalism]] unless it has malicious intent behind it. [[Help:Message Wall|Letting the users know]] what they did wrong not only helps them become a better editor but the new messages [[Help:Notifications|notification]] showing them that someone has, in fact, read their edits can be ideal for positive encouragement. Knowing that someone has read what you wrote is a great feeling, one that can get people deeply involved in communities they care about.
+All in all, remember not to act as if their mistake was deliberate. Correct them, but don’t scold them. Inform, but don’t intimidate. These are people you want to keep on your wiki, so why scare them off?
 ==Handling disagreements==
 [[File:Nuvola_apps_chat.png|right]]
-Different people can have different opinions about what's best for a wikia. When you disagree with someone, you might start to feel that they are a bad editor, but that's almost never true if they care about the topic. Assuming good faith is all about intentions, not actions. Even if the person is wrong, that doesn’t mean they’re trying to ruin anything.
+Different people can have different opinions about what's best for a community. When you disagree with someone, you might start to feel that they are a bad editor, but that is almost never true if they care about the topic. Assuming good faith is all about intentions, not actions. Even if the person is wrong, that does not mean they are trying to ruin anything.
-Whenever an edit or a message irritates you, take a step back and assume the person is just trying to help. This can help you look past your frustration and recognize what they are trying to achieve, and then act more kindly based on that understanding. Consider using talk pages, comments, and/or walls to explain your point of view, and invite others to do the same. This can avoid misunderstandings and prevent problems from escalating.
+Whenever an edit or a message irritates you, take a step back and assume the person is just trying to help. This can help you look past your frustration and recognize what they are trying to achieve, and then act more kindly based on that understanding. Consider using [[Help:Talk pages|talk pages]], [[Help:Comments|comments]], or walls to explain your point of view, and invite others to do the same. This can avoid misunderstandings and prevent problems from escalating.
 Well-meaning people can take actions the rest of the community feels are unwise, and you should discuss the actions calmly and seek compromises wherever possible. What you should not do is accuse the person of vandalism or sabotage. Foster a culture of consensus, not condemnation.
+==A note for admins==
-Application of the term troll is subjective. Some readers may characterize a post as trolling, while others may regard the same post as a legitimate contribution to the discussion, even if controversial. Like any pejorative term, it can be used as an ad hominem attack, suggesting a negative motivation.
+[[File:Nuvola_apps_keditbookmarks.png|right]]
+When you discuss with editors, you should always be friendly and patient. Show them that you are assuming good faith about their intentions, whether they are new or regular editors. This prevents or at least calms most conflicts, and it helps the community to trust you. It also sets an important example for other editors and admins, which can lead to a more welcoming and positive atmosphere in the community.
+When a well-meaning person takes an action you disagree with, you should always start with a message on their user talk page or wall. Never go straight to blocking them or [[Help:Page protection|protecting a page]] - and never use admin tools or stature just to get your way in a disagreement. Remember that every action on a wiki can be undone, and letting an unwanted edit or page sit for a short time while you talk with the user and wait for their reply is not a terrible thing.
-As noted in an OS News article titled "Why People Troll and How to Stop Them" (January 25, 2012), "The traditional definition of trolling includes intent. That is, trolls purposely disrupt forums. This definition is too narrow. Whether someone intends to disrupt a thread or not, the results are the same if they do."[8][9] Others have addressed the same issue, e.g., Claire Hardaker, in her Ph.D. thesis[9] "Trolling in asynchronous computer-mediated communication: From user discussions to academic definitions",[10] and Dr. Phil.[citation needed] Popular recognition of the existence (and prevalence) of non-deliberate, "accidental trolls", has been documented widely, in sources as diverse as Nicole Sullivan's keynote speech at the 2012 Fluent Conference, titled "Don't Feed the Trolls"[11] Gizmodo,[12] online opinions on the subject written by Silicon Valley executives[13] and comics.[14]
+Of course, some users act in bad faith, and we trust admins to use their judgement and [[Help:Administrators' how-to guide|their tools]] to deal with them appropriately. However, assuming good faith is a powerful tool. Even in cases of obvious vandalism, you might be surprised how often a kind and personal warning can get people to stop, and even apologize. Some vandals are just bored readers who do not think anyone is paying attention or don't believe that their obnoxiousness is affecting real people.
-Regardless of the circumstances, controversial posts may attract a particularly strong response from those unfamiliar with the robust dialogue found in some online, rather than physical, communities. Experienced participants in online forums know that the most effective way to discourage a troll is usually to ignore it,[citation needed] because responding tends to encourage trolls to continue disruptive posts – hence the often-seen warning: "Please do not feed the trolls".
+Very malicious cases of spam, vandalism, and [[Help:Don't feed the trolls|trolling]] are blatantly obvious, and those can be dealt with quick administrative actions like [[Help:Blocking|blocking]]. The vast majority of people are there to help the community, but every once in a while you get someone who just wants to vandalize to ruin other people's good time.
-The "trollface" is an image occasionally used to indicate trolling in Internet culture.[15][16][17]
+==Final advice==
-At times, the word can be abused to refer to anyone with controversial opinions they disagree with.[18] Such usages goes against the ordinary meaning of troll in multiple ways. Most importantly, trolls don't actually believe the controversial views they claim. Farhad Manjoo criticises this view, noting that if the person really is trolling, they are a lot more intelligent than their critics would believe.[18]
+Just remember that everyone you deal with has feelings, and everyone can help you build the community that you love if he or she can be shown that their work is noticed and valued, as well as how they can improve wherever needed. Always do your best to assume good faith, and your reward will be a thriving wiki community!
-Online trolls launch a personal attack on the author by following some of these steps: Call the author names, make fun of the author’s appearance, attempt to correct the author’s already correct grammar, accuse the author of nefarious motives, such as attention-seeking. Claim any studies are biased, especially when they’re comprehensive meta-analysis of every rigorous study ever done (designed to correct for bias), insult the author’s family for good measure.
-It seems like only yesterday that we were lining up to get tickets for the various Fresher’s Week events – now we’re all looking at our timetables and wondering where on earth the time went.
-I suspect that whether you spent all your time in the library or the bar, you’re going to be looking at a certain pile of work and thinking “right, this kinda needs to get done now.”
-For me, final year of University is bringing about some challenges that I haven’t really experienced before – the pressure is really on this year.  The unique structure of my course means that if you have a barnstormer of a final year, your final year marks alone could decide the outcome of your degree.  Bearing in mind my second year was never the best for marks… well, no margin for error this time round!
-Final year also means, for me, three assignments, an exam and presentation all to do – all due in within the space of ten days.  Time management is so underrated right now, along with realising that your social life is non-existent – except for the lonely medical student you always sit next to on the top floor of the library.
-Awkward nods and greetings aside, you’re usually on the top floor for a reason: to get that work all finished.
-Motivating yourself to get something finished can be easier said than done.  After all, getting yourself tagged in various Facebook photos and catching up with the musings of Buzzfeed is far more interesting.  That said, soft journalism and the latest batch of photos from ‘Monday Night at Lola’s Nightclub!!!!’  isn’t likely to get your work done, no matter how much you loathe the idea of getting that piece on globalisation done – I’ve been there.
-Here are a few things that might help your motivation along and keep the work finished, all in good time
-•I’m not advocating shutting down your Facebook for good here – on occasion that time you all conveniently decided to set up a group to do a group project, the place will seem useful.  However, there comes a point where all the shared articles and funny photos/memes are going to cause a distraction.  One thing I have heard (besides trying not to be tempted into opening it in the first place) is to form a news feed compiled of all the most productive things you can find.  Perhaps you follow a particular movement or organisation for graduates.  Maybe you know a few people on Facebook who are always posting about their work and how motivated they are?  If you form a list of people and pages that will encourage you to get on with your work, you’ll be all the more productive with it.  Or, as productive as you can be when distracted with Facebook…
-•OK, so this whole student thing of enjoying cheap drinks and discount entry wristbands might have to stop.  Allow yourself the occasional night out now and again, but sadly if you haven’t grown out of it by now, it’s time to learn quickly.  Remember, it’s not just the night out when you could have been working instead, it’s also the unproductive morning after with the thumping headache that you have to consider too.  If you’re anything like me, it’ll last the whole day… Hate to say it, but one feels guilty if you mentally write off a whole because you took advantage of £2 bottles.
- Also, don’t be tempted into a post-work/library pint with the boys – they can – and do – escalate.  Been there, done that.  Regretted it.  Be the responsible person and call it a night after you’ve left.
-•There’s a certain irony at university.  You get several long assignments and there’s often 24h opening times at your library, with support available around the clock.  Bear this in mind though: it’s better to get a good day of work done and then some decent hours of sleep than trying to power through the night and live off a diet of caffeine-filled drinks and ProPlus.  Besides the come-downs that you’ll hate, you’ll feel well and truly rotten for some time afterwards.  It’s also worth noting that, even on a diet of Monster/Relentless/whatever luminous liquid floats your boat, your body cannot function as well as a well-rested and hydrated you.  Stick to the best-hydrating fluid out there – water – and make sure you’re reasonable with yourself.  You may feel you’re on a roll with your work, but make sure that you call it a day while you’re ahead.  We’re all human.
-•The obvious point about handing in assignments on time: if you want to hand them in on time then you need to start them on time.  If you’ve got sessions specifically dedicated to assignment support, then it means you’re going with something to show and to get analysed – not getting advice so that you can start.  Don’t worry about when everyone else is starting either, you work at your own pace and you know what your own strengths and weaknesses are.  That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a sense of urgency, it just means that you should consider how you work and how you like to get your work done.
- Of course, if you’re doing a dissertation and you’ve been given progress deadlines then you obviously need to stick to those to keep the confidence of tutors, but they’re designed to be manageable and straightforward to hit – as long as it’s of a good quality.
-Really, deadlines have to be hit and sadly the work side of university is going to start taking charge of your experience.  Keep positive, make sure that you are well-motivated, and go out there and do your best!
-If nothing else, think of the Christmas break.
 ==See also==
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 *Learn about [[Help:Common mistakes|common admin mistakes]]
-==Further Help & Feedback==
+==Further help and feedback==
-{{Help and feedback section}}
+{{Help and feedback section}}__NOTOC__
+[[ca:Ajuda:Assumint bona fe]]
-__NOTOC__
+[[de:Hilfe:Gehe von guten Absichten aus]]
-[[de:Hilfe:Geh von guten Absichten aus]]
 [[es:Ayuda:Asumiendo buena fe]]
+[[fi:Ohje:Oleta muilta hyvää tahtoa]]
 [[fr:Aide:Supposer la bonne foi]]
+[[it:Aiuto:Presumi la buona fede]]
 [[ja:ヘルプ:善意にとる]]
 [[ko:도움말:좋은 뜻으로 보기]]
-[[pt:Ajuda:Assumindo de boa fé]]
+[[pl:Pomoc:Zakładanie dobrej woli]]
+[[pt:Ajuda:Assumindo boa-fé]]
-[[ru:Справка:Совет-Добросовестность]]
+[[ru:Справка:Политика добросовестности]]
-[[fi:Ohje:Oleta muilta hyvää tahtoa]]
+[[tr:Yardım:İyi niyetle varsayma]]
+[[uk:Довідка:Політика добропорядності]]
 [[vi:Trợ giúp:Giữ thiện ý]]
 [[zh:Help:假定善意]]
-[[uk:Довідка:Порада-Добросовісність]]
 [[Category:Advice]]
 [[Category:Administration help]]
 [[Category:Help]]
+[[Category:Advice - getting started|{{PAGENAME}}]]
+[[Category:Advice - contributing|{{PAGENAME}}]]
+[[Category:Advice - community management|{{PAGENAME}}]]
+[[Category:Advice - advanced|{{PAGENAME}}]]